Type-writing machine.



W. P'. KlDDER.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.'22, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

INVENTU/i Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

INVENTUH W. P. KIDDER.

TYPE WRIHNG NACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1909.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

' chine,

' UNITE STATES PATEN,

WELLINGTON PARKER KIDIDER,

ASSIGNMENTS, To THE NOISELESS 0E BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, v

TYPEWRITER coM ANY, or. MIDDLETOWN,

ASSIGNOR; BY MESNE CONNECTICUT; A oonronATron OF CONNECTICUT.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atte am, 1915.

. Application filed April 22,1909: Serial nt."4e1,5s1.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVELLINGTON P. KID- DER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of .Sulfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- VVriting Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichv it appertains to make and use the, same.

.My presentinvention ing machines and has for its ob e'ct to provide a new. and improved means for eifecting relative adjustment between theplaten and the printing 'point, so as to acconimodate dilisrent thicknesses of work and yet make a clear impression.

1 It is particularly adapted to the so called' noiseless machine, but is not necessarlly re' 20.

stricted to that construction. I

Such devices have heretofore been dev sedby others, but they differ from mine in'that the present invention :is substantially automatic in its operation. By preference, automatic means adjusting the positionof the platen to the thickness of the work is brought into action by the operation of one of the type bars, and I, provide automatic locking means for locking'the platen in its 'ad uSted position until it' is manually released by the operator. T

In the accompanying drawings,

resents a side view of a typewriting mathe frame being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of the front [wall of the machine, showing the dial; ,Fig.

shown in Fig. 5, showin ,for'. the movable tie-r0 '50 is s r tive f the ,3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 with the parts 40 in" another position; Fig. 4 shows the dial illustrated in Fig. 2 with the cooperating pointer in another position; Fig. 5 is a front view of a-mo'dified form'pf/the'adjusting mechanism for thgplaten, the view being taken substantially online 5-5 of Fig. 6',="lo6king in"the direction of .thearrow-;--Fig;' 6 is a side view ofjthe devices the locking device unlokeda-Fig.

-sents the frame of' the machiif e havinga bed or plate 2and a rigid .wall 3, the

relates to -typewritoperated, by suitable'connections,withfthe the universallshaft 1 Extending longitudi movable member ,or 0

to form abacking. I the latter being horizontall wherein is illustrated two of various possible em-" bodiments of my invention, Figure ,1 rep-' of the center-tie extends through suitable devices-.shown in fFig. I another P08113103; and

-y rsiir a which? streng'th. draws th center-tie we" latter being ,j proyide' with alfledgef l for supportinghgla i iiality "of blocks 5 tog-which .the actuating mechanisms for the ty pe-bars. The. actuating mechanism comprises a toggle-cam 6 having connected thereto a link 7,1,the'la'tter being in tur'nconnected at the :other end. to the y ebar .8 .1

. which travels in suitable guidesjonftheltopf:

plate 2. Eachtypedoar is 'provided'with aplurality oftypes in the" presentinstance," three, the centralone' oflwhich' is show"*.- at 10. Each of [the various toggle cams is 1 key-levers 11', pivoted onthe'i'bar12;{The key-levers rest-upon thefuniver' b and are held in raised po .versal bar arms 14, whic 'fialupft in the central portion tl" end'fof whichfeXt'en s .upw

carriage rides upon the rail .22; which is provided with downwardly extending arms,

23 connected with the shift mechanism (not herein shown). By means of this construction it will be noted that the platen carriage is free to move horizontally for letter spacirig, or vertically when the upper or lower case types areemployed. The'forward'end ways or guides 24, and the rear end thereof is provided with a roller, 25 which rolls upon the horizontal surface '26 of the frame of the machine. 'The carriage-supports a platen roll 27and the printing plat'en 2,8 which, as shown, lies in contact with the platen roll and conforms to the/contour thereof. 1 To; the center-tie 16 is attachedfoneend of a coil Spring 39, the other end ofjwhichx is attached to th n i th machine at riage constantly toward the fro'nt, the forward end of the center-tie resting against the end 32 of a rod 33 whose forward end 34 is threaded in the front wall of the machine. This rod opposes the forward movement of the center-tie against the tension of the spring 30; The forward end of rod 33 is provided with a pointer 35 which cooper- I .ates with a dial 36 on the frame of the mamoved to impression. this position,the face of the types will pref- "that particular thickness of work.

chine. The rod'33 is encircled by a coil spring 37 one endof which is attached to the rod at 38 and the other end to the frame at 40. This spring constantly urges rod 33 to rotate in such direction that when' the center-tie ismoved rearwardly, as will hereinafter be explained, the thread upon the' erably just clear the printing platen 28 or barely engage therewith when the type-bar has been thrust forward into printing position, and at this point it may be observed thatthe type-bars have limited throws in the direction of' the platen and are arrested when the toggle cam 6 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In

the position shown in Figs. 1 and .2, the center-tie 16 assumes its extreme position toward the left, being urgedto such position by means of the coil spring 30 and -held against further movement by its en-' gagement with the end 32 of rod 33, the

pointer 35 being in the position shown in Fig. 2, resting against a stop-pin ffl provided upon the dial.

In order to set the platen to the desired position for any number of impression sheets, as shown, for example, in Fig. 3, the sheets are inserted in the platen carriage in front of vthe printing platen 28. A typebar is then thrust from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the'position shown in Fig, 3, and when near the end of the stroke, the face of the type will be pressed against'the outside impression sheet and the type-bar, continuing its movement, will push.the printing platen, carriage and center-tie back'against the tensionof spring 30 until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 3, which will be the position required for effecting the proper degree of pressure upon During the'rearward movement of the center-tie 16;

theend of rod 33 will follow the center-F will prevent a forward movement of the center-tie when the platen is located in the desired' printing position. Then, when the type-bar is retracted, the carriage and center-tie will remain in the position shown in Fig. 3 until the rod 33 is rotated in a reverse direction by the operator and the pointer assumes a zero position with respect to the dial; whereupon spring 30 will return the tie-rod and position.

In the embodiment of my invention'disclosed in Figs. 5 to .8 inclusive the centertie is shown at 16 and is supported in the top plate 2 and urged toward the front of the machine by means of the retr'actile spring 30 attached to the bracket 42 depencfing from the top plate. In bracket 42 is threaded a stud screw 43 which may be held in any adjusted position by means of platen carriage to normal a. check or lock nut Stud screw 43 is 4 provided with a projecting end 45 which fits in an opening +L6 provided in the forward end of the center-tie. screw abuts the forward end of the'centertie. The: stud screw 43 fits the opening 46 in the center-tie with a sliding fit, so that the center-tie is free to move forward or rearward with respect thereto. Stud screw 43 is initially adjusted so as to allow spring 30 to bring the center-tie and the printing 1 ten 28 to the zero position,-in which position the face of a type-bar,-when projected The end ofthe stud to impression, will just strike or barely elear the platen.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention the paper is inserted, as before,-

in front of the platen, and'the type-bar 8 is then thrust forward from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7. Just before reaching the printing point and completing its throw, the face of the'type-bar will strike the paper and push the printing platen toward the rear, moving the platen to the correct printing position so that the paper will receive thcfprop'er degree ofpres- ,sure to effect printing; the center-tie is then looked, whereby the platen is maintained in such position, as will now be described.

. lVhena key-lever has depressed the universal bar 13 to the position shown in Fig. 7,

the cam roller 47 on the arm48 will have rocked the cam 6 downward and in that position the type face will be in printing position. By moving the roller 47 and arm 48 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8, no further movement will be given to the cam 6, since the, roller moves in the dwell or inactive part of the cam. In the position shown'in Fig. 'flthe universal bar will just touch the end .50 of a lever 51 i i which is pivoted on a stud-32. The outer end of the lever 51 abuts against the bracket "Q1 53 ,fixed to the frame of the machine. Lever 1-5 is provided with an upwardly extending member 54 to which is connected a rod 55, y'Tandrod- 55, at its opposite end, isconnected to a'iv'erticallysliding rod 56 which passes jggithrough an opening in the center-tie 16. Bod-56 isprovided withan enlarged head -57 above thetop surface of the center-tie, -a ndfipasses through the center-tie adjacent the fs'tud screw 43. The center-tie 16 is split a s' shown' at 58, Fig. 5. An extensile coil ring 60 surrounds rod 56 and presses the head .61, attached to the.-lower end of the rod, downward, the spring re-acting against thebrajcket, 42. The operation of this lasti described mechanism is as' follows: The platen 28 and center-tie 16, having been ressedback by the type face and the keyeverll, having been brought to position shown in Fig.7, where the cam roller 47 has j1 1st,enteredthe dwell in the cam groove by the continued downward motion of ,e'Eey-lever 11 from the position in Fig. 7

' ";1ever together with arm 54, to the position lshown dn Fig. 8. The toggle formed by Y arm. 54 and rod' 55 will then spring to them" left through "the influence of spring 60, and the rod 56' with its head 57 will move down ward a little from the position shown in 7to that in Fig. 8, the head 57 clampiilg the upper split portionof the tie upon the stud screw 43. Thisexerts a suflicient I ""amount of friction upon the stud screw to old the center-tie from being "drawn to the eft to its zero position by the spring 30. fSpringBO, however, is ofsutficient tension tolhold the center-tie and the platen in a position of rest during'the printing, operation, the friction exerted by the clamped head adding/to its stability. When it "isdesired to shift the printing platen 2 81'to another'position, as when thinner paper is used, it is necessary to unclamp 1;..the locking device, which may be done by lifting the handle 62 toward the rear of the I machine, thus, moving the locking device T from the positipn of Fig. 8 to that of Fig. 7.

When these parts have been restored to the position of Fig. 7, spring 30 will move the center-tie to the left until the abuttin surface of the center-tie strikes the end o 7 stud "screw. 43, thus bringing the center-tie and 65 printing platen to zero position.

It will, accordingly, be seen that I'have provided mechanism well adapted to attain the several endsand objects of theinvention' resides in the fact that the adjustability of" I the platen and its locking in place with re.- s5 p t to h type a e-.5??? sh ma X at ,of Fig. 8, the universal bar 13.will 2 s'tri e theend 50 -of lever 52 and move .that

which have a li its I W being adaptedto move. 7 e. p il i i i f tomatic, requiring little care or attention on the part'of the operator.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a typewriting machine, the 'combination of type bars, and a platen with means whereby the platen may be adjusted to proper printing position by the type bars.

2.In a typewriting machine, the combinations of type bars, a platerr with means whereby the platen may be adjusted to proper printing position by the type bars, and means for holding the platen in adjusted position.

3. In a typewriting machine, the-combi-" nation with the type bars, of a platen, means ,whereby said platen may be adjusted to proper printing position by the type bars, and means for automatically holding the platen in adjusted position. if

4. In a typewriting machine, the combinetion with the type bars movable to a common printing plane, of a platen movable to and from the normal printing plane, said platen being adapted to be moved rearwardly by the type bars, and means for hold: ing the platen against forward movement when the same has been moved rearwardly.

5. In a. typewriting machine, the combination with the type bars movable to a common printing plane, of a platen movable toward and from the normal printing plane, said platen being adapted to be moved rearward with respect to the printing plane by a type. bar, means for holding the platen against movement when the same has been moved rearward, and means for restoring the platen to normal position.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the type bars movable to a common printing plane, of a platen movable rearwardly with respect to the normal printing plane, said platen being adapted to be so moved by the type bars, means for r holding the platen in a rearward positiomiliw .and'nieans for restoring the same to llQPI Iia1 position. I 7. In a typewritingmachifiafljie combi nation with a platen mojiable- 'toward'and from a normal printi g plane, of/type bars d ithrow "toward the a s I, z wardly'to a position depend ergtz up'on' the number of impression sheets inte' ,p sedbetween the plateinan ith 'fa $f'.

of the type bars, and means for holding the platen fixed against forward movement when the same has been moved rearwardly.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with type bars having limited throws in the direction of the platen, of a platen adjustable rearwardly with respect to the plane occupied by the faces of the types when they are moved to impression to such position as will enable the type bars to apply' the proper amount of printing pressure upon a plurality of impression sheets interposed between the platen and the type faces,

means for holding the platen against fur:. ther recession when the printing pressure 1s applied thereto by the type bars, and means for holding the platen against forward movement when the same hasbeen moved rearwardly.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a plurality of type bars each of which has a limited throw in the direction of the platen. an abutment-for the platen, said abutment being movable,

which it is moved to carry the platen to the ahove-mentioned position.

10. In a tvpewritmg machine. the combination with the type bars each of which has a limited printing movementln thedn'ectlon of a platen, an abutment for the platen, sald' abutment beingmovable to allow the platen to recede from a normal printingplane when one or more sheets are interposed between the platen and the typc bars and the outermost impression sheet is engaged by a face of the type bar, means for effectively resisting further recession of the abutment during printing, whereby the platen is held against recession, and means cooperating with said abutment to hold the platen in the abovementioned position.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with type bars adapted to print by pressure. of'a platen movable at right angles to the printing plane, an' abutment located behind the platen adapted to be moved rearwardly to permit a corresponding rearward movement of the platen under theaction of the type bars when a plurality of impression sheets are positioned thereon and said impression sheets are engaged by one of the type bars, whereby the platen may be moved to such position as will permit proper printing pressure to be applied by the type bars to anynumber of sheets posltioned upon said the platen and the faces of the types.

platen, means for effectively preventinga recession of'the platen during the application of printing pressure thereon, and means for preventing a movement of said platentoward the printing plane.-

12. In a typeWriti-ng machine, the combination with type bars having-a limited throw in the direction of the platen, whereby their faces occupy'a common plane when the type bars are moved to impression, of a platen adapted normally to lie in j uxtaposition to said plane, whereby the proper printingpressure may be applied to an impression sheet or sheets of'given thickness interposed between the platenand theface's.

of the. types, said-platen being movable rearwardly by the engagement of a type bar with an impression sheet or' sheets of greater thickness to such position as will enable the type bars to apply the proper printing pressure thereto.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combi nation with type bars having a limited I throw in the direction of the platen, whe'reby their faces occupy a common plane when the type bars are moved to impression, of a platen adapted normally to lie in j'uxta .position to said plane, whereby the proper printing pressure may be applied to an im-,

, pression 'sheet' or sheets of given thickness interposed between the platen and the faces of the types, "said platen being movable rearwardly by the engagement of a type bar with an impression sheet or sheets of reater thickness to such position as will ena le the type bars to apply the proper printing pressure thereto, means for effectively preventing the-further recession of the platen under the printing pressure, and means for I holding the platen in the position to .which it has been movedv by a type bar.

14. In a typewriting machine, the combi-'v nation with the type bars and-the platen, of a device extending rearwardly through the machine intermediate the sides thereof and having a portion thereof extending upwardly behind the platen to form'an abut-. ment therefor, said device being movable .rearwardly,wherebythe platen may be cor-' respondingly moved with respect to a normal printing plane, means cooperating with 'saiddevice to'h'old the platen against, recession when the same is engaged by the type bars, and means for coiiperatingtherewith for preventing a movement of'theplaten toward the normal printing plane when the,

same has been .moved rearwardly. f

In a typewriting machine, the jcombiination with type bars, of a platen,s'ai'd'type bars and said platen being mounted forrelm' tive adjustment with respect tothe printing plane, and said adjustment being effected-j v by the engagement of a type barywi th an imj pression sheet or sheets interposed between rection of the platen, said platen and the support for the type bars being capable of relative movements with respect to the common plane occupied by the faces of the types when the type bars are thrust to the inipression point, such relative movement being effected by the engagement of the face of a type of any of the type bars with an impression sheet or sheets positioned upon the platen, whereby the proper printing pressure may be applied to said impression sheet or sheets by the type bars, and means interposed between the support for the type bars and the platen adapted to maintain said parts in position after the aforesaid relative movement has been effected.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen adapted to carry impressionsheets, and type bars adapted to co-act with the impression sheets, of an abutment located behind the platen adapted effectively to prevent yielding of the platen when the sheets are engaged by the type bars, said abutment being movable rearwardly to permit of a corresponding movement of the platen, spring means engaging said abutment to urge the same to movement in a forward direction, and means for positively preventing such forward movement.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and type bars, each of the latter members having a throw of predetermined length in the direction of the platen, a member extending rearwardly through the machine and then upward be-' hind the platen to form an abutment therefor, spring means for urging said member to such movement as would cause the platen to move forwardly with respect to the printing plane, and means engaging said member adapted to prevent such forward movement of the platen.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and direct-thrust type bars, each of the latter members having a throw of predetermined length in the direction of the platen, a member extending rearwardly through the machine and then upward behind the platen to form an abutment therefor, spring means for urging said member to such movement as would cause the platen to move forwardly with respect hind the platen to form an abutment therefor, spring means for urging said member to such movement as would cause the platen to move forwardly with respect to the printing plane, and automatically adjustable means engagingsaid member adapted to prevent such forward movement of the platen.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen adapted to carry a plurality of impression sheets, type bars adapted to co-act therewith, means anchored in the frame of the machine for resiliently tying said platen against the normal action of said type bars, means whereby said resilient tying means may be lengthened, and means for preventing the shortening thereof.

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen adapted to carry impression sheets, a type bar having a limited th-row toward said platen and adapted to co-act with said sheets, means whereby said platen may be moved relatively to a normal printing plane as said type bar co-acts with the impression sheets, and means for preventing a return movement of said platen after printing has been effected.

23. In a typewriting machine, incombination, a platen, a tie-rod for the platen, means whereby the effective length of said tie-rod may be increased, and means for automatically preventing a shortening thereof.

24. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen and a plurality of type bars, of actuating mechanism for the type bars, a support therefor, tension means extended between the support of the actuating mechanism and the platen, means whereby the etfective length of said tension means may be increased, and means for preventing a shortening of said tension means.

25. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a plurality of type bars adapted to print by pressure, of an abutment disposed behind the platen, tension means extended between said abutment and a fixed portion of the framing of the machine, means whereby the effective length of said tension means may be increased under the action of said type bars, and means for preventing a contraction of the tension means when the same has been extended.

26. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a plurality of type bars adapted to effect printing by pressure, of a movable abutment disposed behind the platen, tension means connecting said abutment with a fixed portion of the framing of the machine, means whereby said tension means may be expanded to allow said abutment to be moved rearwardly under the action of said tvpe bars, and means for automatically preventinga contraction of said tension means.

27 In a typewriting m achine, the combination with a platen adapted to carry impression sheets and a plurality of typebars adapted toprint by pressure, of an abutment' located behind the printing point of said plane when the impression sheets are the platen,'movable bodily toward or from the common plane assumed by the faces of the type when projected to impression, said abutment being adapted to be moved from said plane when the impression sheets-are engaged with a type bar, andmeans for holding said abutment'against movement in an opposite direction when the same has been moved from said plane.

28. In atyp'ewriting machine, the combination with a platen adapted to carry impression sheets and a plurality of type bars adapted to print by pressure, of an abutment located behind the printing pomt of the'platen, movable bodily toward or from the common plane assumed by the faces or,

the type when projected to impression, said abutment being adapted tobe moved from engaged with a type bar, and means for antomatically holding said abutment against movement in an opposite direction when the same has been movedfrom said plane.

=29. Ina typewriting machine, the combination with type bars, of a movable platen, an abutment erected behind the printing point-of the platen, springmeans connect-' ing said abutment with a'fixed portion of the ,machine and urging the same to forward movement, 'and means engaging said abutment which prevents such forward movement. I p

30. In a typewriting machine, thecombination with direct thrust type bars, of a platen, a movable tie rod extending longitudinally'of the machine and then upward to form a. backing for the platen, spring means for urging said tie rod to forward movement, and .a threaded rod abutting the" forward end of the tie rod and normally holding the same in such position that the platen will be located substantially in the plane as sumed by the faces of the types when the 'typevbars are thrust to impression, said threaded rod being adaptedto follow the tie rod when the sameis moved rearwardly and hold it many position to wh ch it may i be moved.

' 31. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen, of a plurality of type bars adapted to print by pressure, of

an endwise movable member extending longitudinally through the machineand then upward t form an abutment for the platen,

spring ans for urging said member to forward movement, a member threaded in ,afiXed portion of the framing of the ma chine and abutting said movable member,

. and means for causing said threaded ,mem

ber to follow said endwise movable member when the same is moved rearwardly to hold .rearwardly.

that the platen will be in the latter in any position to which the same is moved. g I

32. Ina t'ype'writing machine,-the combination with a platen carriage-carrying the platen, and a plurality of endwise movable type bars adapted to print by pressure, of

"an endwise movable member-suitably supported and guided in the machine which ex tends longitudinally therethrough and then fupward behind the platen carriage to form an abutment therefor, a spring attached to said member adapted to urge the-same to forward movement, and a' rod h'iiving' one end threaded in the fixed portion of the machine and the other end abutting said endwise movable. member, and means for causmg a rotative movement of said'rod when said endwise movable member is moved rearwardly, whereby the threaded rod will fol- ,low the endwise movable member and auto matically maintain the same against forward movement when: the same ismoved 33. In a ty ewriting machine, the combination with t e platen, and endwise movable type bars, of an endwise movable member which extends rearwardly through the machine to form an abutment for the, platen, I

stale adjacent the forward end of said rod,

a pointer upon said rod Whichpotiperates .105

with said scale, and means for arresting the rotative' movement of said rod when the same ls'moved to zero position.

34. In a typewriting machine, the combi nation with a plurality of type bars, of a platen, movable toward and from the. faces of the type, a member extending longitudi-' nally inthe central portion thereof and then upwardly to form a backing for the platen,

a spring attached to said member and to a fixed portion ofthemachine and urging the member to forward movement, a rotatable rod having one end threadedin a fixed portion of the frame of the machine and the other end in engagement with the forward end of'said member, a scale arranged adjacent said rod, an-indicator carried-by's-aid rod which cooperates with said' scale to indicate to the operator the position of the platen with respect totheprinting movement of said rod in -a position such a normal'printing plane. v

35. In a typewr ting machine, the comhi-=' plane, and means for arresting the rotativenation with type bars and a platen, of automatic means, broughtinto" action by operating a type l)!l!',f0l adjusting the distance between the platen and the printing point for the type; whereby the space between the platen and the type faces may be automatically adjusted for different thicknesses of Work. a

36. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with a platen adjustable toward and away from the printing point and a series. of type bars,

of means, brought into action by operating a type bar,

for adjusting the position of' the platen relative to the printlng point, automatie means for locking the platen 1n its adjusted position and manually operated means for releasing it therefrom; whereby the actuation of a type bar adjusts the distance automatically 7 between the-platen and the printing point to the thickness of the'work and such distance is maintained until changed by the bars, of automatic means-for adjusting tlr distance between the platen and the printing point for the type 1n accordance withthe thickness of the work, automatic locking means for. maintaining the adjusted dis tance, and a manually operated device for releasing the lockat desired times.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

' WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDER- Witnesses: v I

Roswnu S. Bannows, RUTH O. Annna'son. 

